3.5 complex stars

This one is not your typical meet-cute romantic comedy. There are complex issues at play, including grief, a sick child, childhood trauma, and parental abuse. What nicely ties it all together is a sweet therapy dog called Bear.

Casey is the sick child, undergoing treatment to shrink a brain tumor. She’s been recently reunited with her birth father, and both are hoping that this month of treatment will be a fresh start for them and a chance to get to know each other.

Gemma has the therapy dog and meets Casey at the hospital along with her father. Gemma has recently lost her husband and is grieving and wants the promise of her old life back.

Dan is Casey’s dad, and he comes with a lot of childhood baggage. He’s doing his best to be there for Casey now, but he’s keeping some big secrets.

I grew to care for all of these characters, but they had a lot to work through before any happiness could truly work for them. I rooted for a romance between Gemma and Dan although there were a lot of secrets to uncover first. And of course, I wanted a good health outcome for Casey.

Overall, a good emotional read and I look forward to more from this author.

4.5 stars

Wow, I really fell in love with this book! The characters were so likable and the different pasts and circumstances that brought them together just worked. Casey was definitely my favorite, I love that the author gave her a spotlight and we got to read her view of things. I just kept rooting for her throughout the whole story. And Gemma, she was such a good person who I wanted all the good things to happen to! Dan took a bit to get used to, but I love the growth he showed throughout the span of the story. He definitely won me over by the end.

Overall Owner do a Lonely Heart was just a beautifully written book, I really can’t say a bad thing about it at all!!

Owner of a Lonely Heart could refer to any of the characters in this story. Dan, Gemma, and Casey all come together as Casey is receiving treatment and meeting Dan her dad for the first time. There are some twists and turns and you see real growth in the characters. This was a nice read that i enjoyed returning to through the busy holiday season.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

We get 3 point of views. Dan the father, Casey the daughter and Gemma the young widow. We get to see how there lives collide through cancer, grief and fixing your mistakes. Loved it all.

A sweet, heart-wrenching tale. It was not as sad as I expected for which I was grateful. Have a particular dislike for con men, so that part of the story left me cold. People can change and grow, which the various characters did. Enjoyable watching the progress. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

🏥 In all ways, a superb story🤗

Eva Carter's novel has all the emotions, heartache, fear and hope. It's parental love, romantic love, doing one's best when even you don't think your best could ever be good enough. I loved the family drama and young Casey's brave fight against her illness, her trusting and open heart. And Gemma, grieving her dead husband Andrew, hoping to preserve their love by giving him a posthumous child, and finding a stranger who immediately makes her present matter as much as her memories.

But my favorite character by far was Dan. He's got so much baggage from his relationship with his father that is slowly revealed. A sad childhood that sets the stage for his lying and self-loathing; he doesn't seem to expect love or believe he's worthy of it. I really fell for this guy and wanted his world to come right.

Great, complex characters and a plot that moves seamlessly. I thought telling the story from multiple points of view really worked. I'm so glad I was invited to read this book; it made for two days of very contented reading.

Thanks to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Owner of a Lonely Heart by Eva Carter is a family drama starting with Dan, the kind of man who likes being alone and doesn’t have plans for a family in his future. Dan meets his 12-year-old daughter from a past relationship with Angelica when they arrive in town to get surgical treatment for the daughter’s brain tumor. Throw in the baby Momma, who is harboring a seriously pissed-off vibe toward the baby daddy.  Then mix in Gemma, who works with her therapy dog, Bear, and forms a testy relationship with the entire family, including the biological Mom. We also have a hateful grandfather, a cranky girl, Casey, with a brain tumor, a germaphobe Mother, and Gemma, who is still mourning for her husband, who died of cancer a few years into their marriage. It was a reasonable effort by the author, but I did not like anyone but the dog. I also think the ending was rushed, including the Epilogue, but what do I know? The book lost me with the difficult and complex characters. I may be in the minority with this review. Share your thoughts. Publication in January, 2023. #secondchances #love #dislike #family #dsyfunctionalfamily #heartbreak #fate #fiction #ownerofalonelyheart #dellbookpublishing @penguinrandomhouse @netgalley
🎈

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Publishings, and the author for the opportunity to read this book. #book #books #bookstagram #prettycover

3.5 rounded to 3 stars

This is an enjoyable read by an author new to me. It’s on the longer side, and there is a lot going on, but it reads fast. The story is told from the viewpoint of three alternating narrators—Gemma, Dan, and 12-year-old Casey. Gemma is my favorite, followed by Casey and then Dan. Gemma is a young widow struggling with the loss of her husband (Andrew) and whether or not to undergo in vitro fertilization with the embryo they produced before his death. Casey is facing a do or die four-week course of proton beam therapy for a brain tumor; Dan is her father whom she has never met. These three converge, along with Casey’s mother Angelica, for a very emotional four weeks. There is also a darling dog, Bear, who plays a significant role. The story itself I really enjoyed, and I had no problem picking the book up, but there were several things that bugged me.

A LOT happens in these four weeks, too much to feel realistic to me. In my opinion, it should have been set over at least 3-4 months to be realistic. There is also insta-love (does such a thing really happen?), which never sits right with me. There is also insta-change of Gemma’s feelings from Andrew (whom she is still in deep mourning for 3 years after his untimely death) to the new guy, Dan. Not only that, but it took some time for me to warm up to Dan because of his sense of values. Even at the end I was not completely trustful of him. Maybe that’s just me, but there it is. Speaking of the end, boy, is it compressed! There was some major stuff going on and I was super interested in how it was going to play out. Well, it was all too quick for me. That was disappointing. Then the epilogue (a good epilogue is a big deal for me) was disappointingly set just a few months down the road. I would have preferred it to be at least a year later.

I actually enjoyed the book much more than the preceding paragraph might indicate, but the issues I outlined compel me to round my rating from 3.5 to 3 (instead of 4) stars. Despite that, I do recommend this book because the themes are great as are Gemma, Casey, and Bear. Just be aware of the downsides I mentioned in case things like that annoy you as they did me.

I would like to thank Megan Whalen from Penguin Random House/Dell Books and Net Galley for an advanced copy. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

Owner of a Lonely Heart by Eva Carter is the story of a woman’s journey from the grief of her husband’s death, to choosing to love again, even when it’s hard.

Story Recap:
Gemma had her entire life mapped out until tragedy struck, and her husband died of cancer just a few months after their wedding. Now, she’s having trouble moving forward as all she’s ever wanted was the life she dreamed up with her husband.

Dan is about to have a major life event. He’s about to meet his twelve-year-old daughter, Casey, for the very first time. Casey and her mother will be living with him, while she undergoes treatment for her brain tumor. Dan is terrified that he won’t be able to be a dad or live up to her expectations. He’s lived his entire life making no commitments nor allowing anyone to depend on him.

One day, Gemma, Casey, Dan, and Gemma’s dog Bear all meet and there is an instant connection between all of them. Can they overcome their fears and learn to care for each other?

My Thoughts:
I loved this book very much. It is emotional, funny at times, hopeful, and inspirational. The characters were deep, well-developed, and realistic. I didn’t care for Gemma or Dan much at the beginning of the book. Gemma is sad and stuck grieving, and Dan is a commitment-phobe and seemed to be a one-dimensional character. It was 12-year-old Casey, and Bear the dog, who grabbed me and made me want to read further. Casey is adorable and courageous, she’s the one who found and contacted her father and asked to stay with him while she undergoes treatment.

After reading for a while and getting pulled into the book I started to realize that Dan and Gemma were both much more complex than I initially realized. Also, they were very good together. Gemma made Dan a better person and made him want to do better. And Dan was the light that Gemma needed in her life. However, they both have their own issues they need to work out first.

Another interesting character is Angelica, Casey’s mother. Angelica and Dan never married or had much of a relationship. Angelica is bossy, controlling, and very stressed. She raised Casey on her own and now her daughter is dealing with a life-threatening brain tumor. Her anxiety leads her to controlling behavior, which leads to more anxiety.

The way these characters interact and learn to trust each other makes a wonderful story and I was glad to go on this journey!

Recommendation:

I highly recommend Owner of a Lonely Heart to anyone who enjoys fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Dan grew up knowing he killed his mother when he was born. Always a disappointment to his father, now he's afraid of getting close to anyone. But when the 12-year-old daughter he's never met contacts him asking for a place to stay in the city while she undergoes treatment for a brain tumor, how can he say no? And how long will it be before he let's her down too?
Then he meets Gemma and her therapy dog, Bear, and for the first time he wants to be that man that someone can rely on, both for her and his daughter Casey.
Gemma lost her husband three years ago. While he was in remission, they started IVF to plan a family when he got better, but now she's left going through the treatments alone, trying to hold on to the dream they had together. Now isn't the time to meet someone new, but she's drawn in by Dan from the start. But when she finds out the truth he's been hiding, can she trust that he's changed, or is it all just a big con?
I really liked this emotional and real story dealing with grief, guilt, and forgiveness. I felt horrible for Casey, going through so much and having to deal with her horrible mother. (Seriously, I felt like throwing the book at the wall with some of Angelika's awful behaviors). And poor Dan, helping others rehabilitate from prison but not able to recognize and forgive himself for some of the same things.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a novel about second chances. The messages don’t give a hope. even when the worst has happened to you. Fate brings to heartbroken people together with a happy ending. I love a happy ending. In spite of the circumstances this book was uplifting and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters thank you for my advance copy.

This was a beautiful book!

A tale of love and loss, mistakes made, lessons learned and the consequences of all these. Gemma and Andrew’s story was tragic, and just as Gemma is recovering she meets Dan and his daughter Casey. With some things in common between their situations and a mighty attraction, over a four week period they get to know each other and their past struggles.

It’s possible to recover from bad mistakes and tragic losses, honesty is so important. Maybe when you’re honest and open up to possibilities your life will change too.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Eva Carter is not an author that I was familiar with so I was not sure what to expect.

This is a lovely book that drew me right in to the story and from the first few sentences, I was hooked.

Gemma thought she knew how her life was going to go once she met the love of her life. She had everything she had ever wanted but as we know, life can throw us a mean curve ball.

Dan believe he does not happiness and that he has to atone for his mistakes.

Casey, a twelve-year-old girl, has just found her father, Dan and has moved in with her along with her mom as she undergoes treatment for a brain tumor.

Gemma and Dan's path cross and sparks fly along with all the other cliques but love is often not that simple. Gemma and Dan must decide of their love is worth the work and pain to see if happiness is in the cards.

Possible triggers: spousal loss, cancer, mental/emotional abuse and mental illness.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A heartwarming story of love, forgiveness and family. The realness of the issues in the story make you think it could be a look at your own life.

Dan's 12 year old daughter, who he's never met, is on her way to stay with him for a month while she undergoes treatment for a brain tumor.
Gemma volunteers at the hospital where her husband underwent cancer treatments before he died, and finds herself pulled in by the new patient (and her very attractive father).
And Casey is struggling--with brain tumor treatments, wondering why her father never wanted to meet her, and tensions with her mother.

Owner of a Lonely Heart is told from these three characters' points of view as they try to hide their secrets from the others while slowly learning to let each other in. Their secrets (mainly that Dan doesn't actually live in the apartment he's offered up to Casey and her mom; that he has a past he's less than proud of; and that Gemma is trying to get pregnant with her late husband's baby) feel like insurmountable barriers. But Dan, Gemma, and Casey keep finding themselves drawn deeper into each other's lives, and are all pretty sure that's exactly where they want to be.

Owner of a Lonely Heart is a sweet examination of who we are at our core, despite (or maybe because of) the pain in our pasts.

Thank you Eva, NetGalley, and publisher for the ARC!

This reminded me of the J.Lo movie "The Back-Up Plan" minus the funny antics of the romcom. Gemma has had a difficult life. After the love of her life dies from cancer, she is left trying to build a family without him. They had planned to do IVF before her husband was diagnosed, but with the diagnosis, was unable to. To keep her mind off her struggles, Gemma volunteers with her dog Bear, at the local hospital. This is where she meets a young girl named Casey and quickly befriends her having heard her stories about her father who is in and out of the picture. On the way to the hospital one day, Gemma finds herself talking to a man who she later finds out is the father of Casey. Lies and promises are broken - Dan isn't who he says he is. Can someone change?

I liked this but it was a very slow burn. Some of the character development was a bit unrealistic and I felt like the ending was rushed.

Oof this hit me right in the feels and is so much more than a second chance at love romance. Owner of a Lonely Heart touches on grief and moving forward after loss, and I loved it so much

Gemma thought she had her life all mapped out, and then life got messy, and she’s thrown off track when her husband dies.

Dan has been living his life the best he can. After 12 years his daughter messages him asking for a place to stay while she gets treatment for her brain tumor. Dan is terrified of connecting with her because he doesn’t want to let her down.

When Dan and Gemma cross paths sparks fly, but things aren’t always what they seem. Will Dan and Gemma be able to deal with their pasts to move forward with their futures.

This one made me want to cry it was so touching – I loved it. While this one deals with some heavy topics, I felt the author did a nice job presenting them in realistic and presentable ways. The story didn’t feel forced, and it flowed seamlessly. I really enjoyed both Gemma and Dan and their characters. This book is about reaching outside your comfort zone so that you can grow and open their lives to fantastic things. Overall, this is a wonderfully done story and I recommend those looking for a nicely done story comprising of heavy topics.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, @randomhouse, for my e-copy in exchange for this honest review. Check this one out January 17th next year if you’re wanting a heartwarming read.

Owner of a Lonely Heart begins with what the reader thinks is Emma and Andrew’s wedding. The reader soon learns it is Emma watching her wedding video. Her marriage was short due to her husband dying from cancer. She fills her days with work and volunteering at the children’s cancer ward with her therapy dog, Bear. It is here that she meets Dan and Casey. This was a really good story about second chances, revolving around three main characters, Emma, Dan and Casey. Casey is Dan’s 12 year old daughter that he has never met. She is receiving treatment for a brain tumor.
The book goes back and forth between the three characters and how their lives become entwined. Each character is struggling with their own issues but learn that each other might be the missing piece to their puzzle. Eva Carter explores the feelings of loss, infertility, absentee father, anger of a single parent through her chapters around the adult characters. Carter gives a detailed and touching look at life through the eyes of a young girl trying to keep it all together. Her mother has become afraid of anything that might be a germ which includes air quality, food and dogs. Casey tries to neutral and supportive to her mother who is on the brink of a mental breakdown while getting to know a father she had never met all the while living with a brain tumor that may or may not kill her all the while wishing she was a normal 12 year old.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for this ARC.

This was a really good story about second chances, revolving around three main characters, Emma, Dan and Casey.
Emma lost her husband to cancer, not long after they were married, and her dreams for her life came to a stop.
Dan, is also trying to get on with his life. After many years he finally gets to meets his daughter Casey now twelve.
Casey, Dan's 12 year old daughter has come to town to have treatment on a Benign brain tumor, and wants to meet her dad, and needs a place to stay with her mom while there.
The three characters meet at the hospital where Casey is having her treatments. Emma and her therapy dog, Bear are there to support the children going through their treatments, and Dan comes to pick up his daughter.
The book delves into the back stories of all three of these characters, the hardships they have gone through, and between the three of them, they finally have a way to connect and move forward with their lives.
A wonderful story of people leaving their comfort zones, to open up their lives.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House publishing Group – Ballantine for a copy of this book.